Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Awards

Overview

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Awards consists of 2 awards – The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Citizenship Award and Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for Performing and Visual Arts.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Citizenship Award

This award honours students who have contributed to their communities through exceptional citizenship, leadership, public service and voluntary endeavour.

Each year, 8 young Albertans receive a medallion and a $7,000 scholarship.

Eligibility

Only Alberta high school students who receive the Premier's Citizenship Award can be eligible for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Citizenship Award.

To be considered for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Citizenship Award, the student must be enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program for the fall or winter term.

The outstanding attributes that students are evaluated on are:

• citizenship
• leadership
• community service or engagement in volunteer work

The student should have also demonstrated initiative and have had a positive impact in the community or school.

Academic achievement is not a requirement for this award.

How to apply

Your online application must be made while applying for the Premier’s Citizenship award and must be submitted through the Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE) no later than June 1 at 11:59 pm (MST). Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Upon completing your Premier’s Citizenship Award application form in GATE, select “Yes” to continue for the application for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Alberta Centennial Awards, and:

1. Follow steps as prompted by the online form.
2. Fill out the Record of Accomplishment.
3. Attach two (2) Letters of Reference as outlined below*.
4. Ensure all required information is provided.
5. Submit application.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all attachments listed below are submitted with the application.

*Letters of Reference:

Two (2) letters of reference, no longer than 2 pages each, should be provided by:

• someone who has known the applicant for at least one year either through school, community or volunteer activities
• someone who knows the applicant well enough to support or elaborate on the applicant's activities and initiatives as outlined in the Record of Accomplishments

2024 recipients

Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medallion

Elina Ajamian, Edmonton

School: Old Scona Academic High School 

Elina is a student that epitomizes citizenship, leadership, and community. In every community she identifies with, she finds ways to contribute her time, and effort. At school, she is a member of several different clubs and programs such as Community Helpers – School Mental Health Council, Lifelong Learners, tutoring program. She was a member of Cyber Patriots where her team had a first-place finish in the National Youth Cyber Security Competition. Elina has become an advocate for vulnerable populations such as children on the neurodivergent spectrum and dementia patients at Lifestyle Options Retirement Home. She also is a voice for young women across the country, co-founding the Flow Project, which is a non-profit that addresses period poverty. In just this year, the Flow Project was able to raise over 24,000 products and over $1,000. 

Sara Iftikhar, Cold Lake

School: Cold Lake High School

Sara is a natural born leader; she dedicates herself to her community as well as the pursuit of her own personal ambitions. During high school Sara was an integral member of Cold Lake High School’s Envi-Royals Environment Club where she coordinated Earth Week activities and attended the Youth Summit Climate. Additionally, her volunteer efforts have benefitted various events and fundraisers at the Muslim Association Canada Islamic Centre of Cold Lake, as well as patients at Cold Lake Long Term Care Centre. Sara has served four years as a member of the University of Alberta’s WISEST Youth Council, were she assisted with a project that recognizes and celebrates STEM Role Models.

Lyric Jesso, Lac la Biche

School: J.A. Williams High School

Lyric exemplifies the motto of “Service Above Self” and it goes far beyond his school. Lyric has served as both secretary and president of the Interact Club a branch of the Rotary international organization, establishing himself as a role model for young men. Additionally, he dedicated his time and efforts to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 1 Restorative Justice Committee and Lac La Biche County Indigenous Focus Committee leaving a positive lasting impact on the community. Lyric is also a Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue Cadet Firefighter serving as a Junior Forest Warden with Alberta Wildfire in 2023 and providing ground support at the reception centre for Fort McMurray evacuees in May 2024. His resilience, leadership and contributions resulted in Lyric being awarded the Lac La Biche County Junior Citizen of the Year for 2023 by the Lac La Biche Chamber of Commerce.

Diya Laha, Fort McMurray

School: Westwood Community High School

Diya served all three school years on the school council demonstrating her longtime desire to be an active member in change. As a leader, Diya approaches every challenge big or small with the same focus and dedication, whether it be a local school activity like the Breakfast Program of Canada or larger events like the Canadian Student Leadership Association’s Horizons Conference. Outside of her school, Diya volunteered her time and efforts at the Wood Buffalo Food Bank and the United Way, as well as the Canadian Red Cross and Fort McMurray SPCA. Diya’s leadership and profound sense of civic responsibility shone through during her tenure on the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Youth, offering a strong voice and making a meaningful impact on the lives of youth in Fort McMurray.

Ayah Mohieldein, Edmonton

School: Tempo School

Ayah has served as a youth member on the Minister’s Youth Council and provided the student perspective. As a member of the YEG – TheComeUp youth initiative at the Africa Centre, she plans events for the well being of African, Black and Caribbean youth communities. Ayah draws from personal experience and feelings of underrepresentation to guide her in seeking like minded individuals and groups to enhance the program’s impact. Ayah is a member of various organizations and clubs such as Jack.org, SHAD program as well as Tempo’s UNICEF campus club.

Emerson Picklyk, Calgary

School: Rundle Academy

Emerson is an active member of his community. Emerson has been a volunteer of the Child and Youth Advisory Council at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. This program provides youth a voice for child health programs and services. Additionally, Emerson was part of the Duke of Edinburgh Citizenship awards, his commitment to self-improvement pushed him to complete all three levels throughout his high school career. Emerson is also an active member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program of Canada. Emerson has also volunteered for several weeks with the International Humanitarian Hope society having spent two weeks in Cebu, Philippines, aiding child survivors of online exploitation.

Nicole Sun, Calgary

School: Westmount Charter School

Nicole used her own experience as a minority to build a non-profit from scratch. Despite being born and raised in Canada; the only language spoken at home was Chinese. This created a challenge developing fluency in English and subsequent challenges with her confidence. This experience led her to create STREAM Education Centre (EC), a non-profit dedicated to helping first and second-generation students develop confidence in their English-speaking skills. Through STREAM EC, Nicole hosts charity events to raise money for various causes such as the food bank. Additionally, STREAM EC now holds an annual event STEMC (Speed Turn Elementary Math Contest), an elementary math contest that works in conjunction with the University of Calgary. STREAM EC has impacted over 2,000 students and has raised over 25,000 dollars.

Fazayl Zahra, Wetaskiwin

School: Wetaskiwin Composite High School

Zahra immersed herself in the Hussaini Canadian Educational and Cultural Association as a youth representative. She helped organized various events and activities, such as sporting events for youth, cultural events and fundraisers for the association. Fazayl was also involved in her school, spending three years with the Student Council in roles from the Communications Manager to Vice President and finally President in grade 12. Additionally, Zahra also was a day camp organizer with the Boys and Girls Club, and math tutor for fellow students. She has been an active member of the Kids Help Phone National Youth Council. In this role she attends learning sessions, creates social media content among other tasks.

Contact

Connect with Strategic Stakeholder Outreach:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 587-982-1391
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Mailing address:
Strategic Stakeholder Outreach
901, 10405 Jasper Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4R7